Candidates choosing Malayalam as their optional subject in the UPSC IAS exam should familiarize themselves with its syllabus first. Preparation for an exam is unimaginable to begin without the knowledge of syllabus. The syllabus of Malayalam comprise of topics related to Malayalam language and literature- their history and development. Details of the UPSC Malayalam syllabus 2023 can be found from this post. There will be two different papers related to the Malayalam subject in the IAS exam, paper I and paper II.
Malayalam Syllabus for UPSC Exam 2023
The important topics from which the questions will be asked in the UPSC Civil Services exam are given in the UPSC Malayalam syllabus 2023. Candidates can check the syllabus for both the papers from below. The candidates are supposed to write their answers in the exam only in Malayalam language.
Syllabus for Paper I
Section A
- Early phase of Malayalam Language:
- Relation between Tamil and Malayalam: Six nayas of A. R. Rajarajavarma
- Various theories: Origin from proto Dravidian, Tamil, Sanskrit
- Pattu School- Definition, Ramacharitam, later pattu works- Niranam works and Krishnagatha
- Linguistic features of:
- Folklore: Southern and Northern ballads, Mappila songs
- Early Malayalam Prose- Bhashakautaliyam, Brahmandapuranam, Attaprakaram, Kramadipika and Nambiantamil
- Manipravalam: Definition, Language of early manipravala works- Champu, Sandesakavya, Chandrotsava, minor works, later manipravala works- medieval Champu and Attakkatha
- Standardisation of Malayalam:
- Language of scientific and technical literature- media language
- Characteristics of contemporary Malayalam; Malayalam as administrative language
- Peculiarities of the language of Pana, Kilippattu and Tullal
- Contributions of indigenous and European missionaries to Malayalam
Section B (Literary History)
- Ancient and Medieval Literature:
- Manipravalam- Early and medieval manipravala works including attakkatha and champu
- Kilippattu, Tullal and Mahakavya
- Pattu- Ramacharitam, Niranam Works and Krishnagatha
- Folk Literature
- Modern Literature- Poetry:
- Modernism in Malayalam Poetry
- Venmani poets and contemporaries
- The advent of Romanticism- Poetry of Kavitraya i.e., Asan, Ulloor and Vallathol
- Poetry after Kavitraya
- Modern Literature- Prose:
- Biography, travelogue, essay and criticism
- Short story
- Drama
- Novel
Syllabus for Paper II
This paper will require first hand reading of the texts prescribed and is designed to test the candidates’ critical ability.
Section A
Unit 1
- Mahabharatham Kilippattu- Bhishmaparvam
- Ramacharitam- Patalam 1
- Unnunilisandesam- Purvabhagam 25 slokas including Prastavana
- Kannassaramayanam- Balakandam first 25 stanzas
Unit 2
- V. Krishna Variar- Tivandiyile pattu
- Vailoppilli- Kutiyozhikkal
- Kumaran Asan- Chintavisthayaya Sita
- Sankara Kurup- Perunthachan
Unit 3
- Attur Ravivarma- Megharupan
- Ayyappa Panicker- Kurukshetram
- N.V.- Bhumikkoru Charamagitam
- Akkittam- Pandatha Messanthi
Section B
Unit 4
- Thakazhy- Chemmin
- Chanthu Menon- Indulekha
- V. Vijayan- Khasakkinte Ithihasam
Unit 5
- J. Thomas- 1128 il Crime 27
- S. Madhavan- Higvitta (Collection)
- T. Vasudevan Nair- Vanaprastham (Collection)
Unit 6
- T. Bhatttathirippad- Kannirum Kinavum
- K. Sanu- Nakshatrangalute Snehabhajanam
- Kuttikrishna Marar- Bharataparyatanam
UPSC Malayalam Syllabus 2023 – PDF